SSPC Tech Feature | February 2010

Characterization of the Surface Mechanical Properties of Paint and Polymeric Surface Coatings

Three most common test methods and typical results are discussed.

Summary:
This paper presents the instrumentation methods required to measure accurate mechanical properties of the soft polymeric coating materials commonly used in paints, varnishes, lacquers, etc. The three most common test methods for assessing the mechanical properties of polymeric coatings: indentation (to measure hardness and elastic modulus); scratch testing (to measure coating integrity, scratch resistance and viscoelastic properties); and wear testing (to measure frictional properties and wear rate) are reviewed. The principle of each method is explained and its particular importance to polymers is discussed. A range of typical results is also included to provide examples of the information that can be obtained from some of these simple tests.

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